Munich!

Munich was so awesome. It was right up there with Prague. We went for Frughlingfest, the same as Oktoberfest but in the spring time and I don't think as big. We left at 8 pm from Rome and I slept until we stopped for a break and snack and then I slept until we got to Munich THANK GOD. We ate a REAL breakfast with eggs at our hostel then we took a bike tour of Munich! I forgot how much fun it was to ride a bike and Munich is pretty flat so it wasn't that hard. We went through this beautiful gigantic garden and stopped at a beergarden for lunch. It was beautiful out and I ate a gigantic pretzel and had some beer. We saw this place in one of the rivers where there is constant wave, like the kinds they have on cruise ships, and we saw people surfing there! It was crazy. Then we went through this English garden which is called that because one time the ruler of Munich or someone important was pretty unliked by the city. Then he comissioned this huge garden in the style of English gardens(which was considered the most beautiful kind at the time) and said that the citizens of Munich can drink beer and party and be naked in this park. So how could anyone dislike someone who made this possible? So it is still very beautiful and there were a lot of people hanging out there but they made it legal to be naked in only one section of the park and it actually says on the map that it is the "nude park". And yes we saw a naked man. It was gross. Then we saw this big palace with a beautiful courtyard with purple and yellow pansys. After the bike tour we drank some really delicious beer and went shopping. And I got a traditional German bar maid outfit! Its black and red and has a black blouse under it and a red apron. Its really hard to put on but actually quite comfortable.

Then we went to Frughlingfest! It was a big carnival with rides and food and tons of people. The first thing I did was buy chocolate covered strawberries and then we went on a really crazy scary fun ride. Then we went into the beer hall which was disgustingly smokey and really really crowded. We found our friends and got liter beers in gigantic mugs for 8 euros each. There was a live band that played all types of music and a lot of American music. There were people of all ages there, parents and grandparents and even teenagers. There was tons of pushing and creepy guys but once I got up onto the table i was okay. So I was dancing and having the time of my life! Until someone starts looking at me and starts making a 3 sign at me. So i went over and I was like "What do you want" and they go "Can we have 3 beers?" and I was like " I AM NOT A REAL BAR MAID!" These people must have been really drunk because I was dancing in the same spot for like an hour next to them before they asked this. Would a bar maid be doing that while she worked? No. They were running around like mad women back and forth with beers. So it was funny but annoying because it happened a lot throughout the night even though a TON of girls were dressed in the traditional garb. And a lot of boy shad the liderhosen on. Then out of nowhere I saw this kid Brandon who I went to high school with! So funny. So we met these Germans and one of them could yodle! I took a video of it because it was amazing. And then I met my future husband and the love of my life but then I met his pregnant wife. Oh well. If I was pregnant I would not be at beerfest so obviously I would make the better wife. Then the beer hall started closing at 11 and security guards came and kicked us out. But they were SO NICE about it! I was really confused. One of them actually helped my friend find her crutches! And their coats say Security in english, not German so I asked them why! And they said they had no idea! They all spoke great english. I assume that its just that they usually have to kick out the Americans the most because the Germans understand when to leave? I dont know but we were definitely the last ones in the beer halls. Then we went back to the hostel and went to Burger King which was right near the hostel. It was the best Burger King I've ever had in my life. Then we went to bed because we were exhausted and had a big day the next day.

Saturday we went to Dachau concentration camp which is something I've always wanted to do. Dachau was the first concentration camp and stayed in commission throughout all of World War II. It was a really different experience seeing the whole camp. It was weird because it was a beautiful day and there were flowers everywhere. Not exactly how I pictured it. We went to look inside one of the two standing baracks and found it was just full of museum things and photos. However, guess what I saw in there? A gold menorah that looked like an EXACT replica of the one we have! I know its really old but I dont know where it came from but this one looked exact like the one we have. It was insane. The worst part of the camp was the ovens. There were gas chambers but they were actually never used and they know it wasn't for humane reasons they just never used them. The Nazi's willingly sent prisoners off to other camps to be gassed but they didnt do it at Dachau. It was incredible to go there and see everything and the museum and I'm so happy I went.

That afternoon we went to a beer garden in the city and it was soooo beautiful. The place was incredible and I ate some weird Germany food. It was like a pizza but with brie and gouda cheese and spinach. It was sunny and beautiful out and I got a little color by sitting there. The inside of the place we went was a really cool club also. The inside was impeccably decorated. Then we went to Frughlingfest again and I got dressed up again. And again we danced on tables and had a really awesome time.

So Munich was awesome and I would definitely live there. It was voted the #1 city to live in based on standard of living. Germany was great and Munich changed my entire view on the country. This week has been crazy because its our second to last week and we've been cramming in a ton of things as well as studying. I've also been trying to go to the gym which is going pretty well. Tomorrow we're going to the beach and Saturday I'm going to go to St Peters, Castle Sant'Angelo and Villa Giulia which are places I havent actually been yet but would like to go to. I can't beleive this is my last weekend in Rome. I still love it and am not sick of it at all but I do miss my parents and Jessie and my big bed. But I'll be home soon enough. Still having the time of my life!